Palestinian president rejects forced displacement and ‘New Century Deal’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the calls to forcibly displace Palestinians and the push for a “New Century Deal” at the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

Abbas emphasized that any efforts to remove Palestinians from their land are not only unjust but also fail to address the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the right to return.

Why it matters

Abbas’s words challenge international proposals, including those from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries.

Driving the news

• Abbas rejected forced displacement and reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution based on international law.
• His remarks are a direct response to proposals from the U.S. and Israel that seek to alter the status quo regarding Palestinian refugees and territory.
• Trump’s recent comments about Gaza have intensified the debate over Palestinian sovereignty and the future of the region.

Abbas’s rejection of these proposals indicates a broader resistance from Palestinian leadership against external interference in their struggle for self-determination.

His call for adherence to U.N. resolutions underscores the importance of international law in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.